In a music industry saturated with fleeting trends and manufactured sounds, ET Boys stand out as a genre-defying duo forging their own path. With an unmistakable blend of Nu Pop Melodic Rap, brothers Sharkeyes and Tacboy have cultivated a sonic identity that fuses 80s synth nostalgia with modern-day trap and punk influences. Their music resonates with raw emotion and cinematic energy, capturing the essence of youthful rebellion while maintaining an undeniable sense of artistry. From humble beginnings exchanging freestyles over YouTube beats to earning millions of streams and charting on the DRT Independent Charts, ET Boys have proven that true creative vision transcends industry norms.
At the heart of ET Boys is a brotherly bond that fuels their music, bridging the gap between two different creative processes from separate states. Sharkeyes, the mastermind behind the production, crafts immersive beats layered with emotion, while Tacboy delivers vocals that bring their songs to life. Their latest release, Metroid Freestyle, is a testament to their high-energy fusion of styles, proving that their sound is as unpredictable as it is addictive. In an exclusive conversation with Exposed Vocals, Sharkeyes opens up about the duo’s creative process, their work with GRAMMY-winning producer Drew Correa, and what’s next for ET Boys in 2024.
Exposed Vocals: How did the ET Boys project come together, and what inspired the “Nu Pop Melodic Rap” sound?
Sharkeyes: The project started when my brother, Tacboy, sent me some of his freestyles over YouTube beats. I thought that it sounded pretty good, and it got me interested in trying to create my own beats for him. I started learning how to produce and would send him what I was working on. Eventually, he started to rap and sing over it, and we started to create our own songs.
Our sound is inspired by a lot of different genres – 80s synth, 90s and early 2000s punk, rap, trap, video games, movies.
Exposed Vocals: “Metroid Freestyle” has a high-energy fusion of genres. Can you talk about the creative process behind the track?
Sharkeyes: Every song has the same creation story because we live in different states. I sit down and make a couple of beats. I send them over to my brother. He tells me which ones he likes, then he sends me back some vocals, and then we have a song.
Exposed Vocals: What was it like working with GRAMMY-winning producer Drew Correa again, and how did he influence the final sound?
Sharkeyes: Drew is a really chill guy. I don’t really know how to professionally mix and master at all. I brute force my way through making these beats and just try to get an emotion conveyed, so he’s a great help in making it sound professional.
Exposed Vocals: Your music consistently charts on the DRT Independent Charts. How has this success influenced your approach to making music?
Sharkeyes: It doesn’t influence it at all. I was just trying to make something that I personally think sounds cool and that my brother likes as well. I try to make music that makes me feel something.
Exposed Vocals: With millions of streams on Spotify and a growing fanbase, what has been the most rewarding moment in your journey so far?
Sharkeyes: The most rewarding part is that people are actually listening to our music. It’s pretty cool to see people from all over the world listening to some of our stuff. We have a very low-budget bedroom “studio.” I never thought it would get more than a few hundred plays.
Exposed Vocals: What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from “Metroid Freestyle”?
Sharkeyes: I don’t know if my brother has a message behind it, but I hope it makes you feel like you’re a pretty cool guy. Like how Peter Parker felt in Spider-Man 3 when he was walking down the street feeling himself, giving everyone the finger guns.
Exposed Vocals: What’s the biggest challenge of being an independent duo in today’s industry, and how do you navigate it?
Sharkeyes: Whatever challenges we face, I’m pretty far removed from it. I just make beats and send them to my brother and mix his vocals when he sends them back. I’m just having a pretty good time.
Exposed Vocals: If you could collaborate with any artist—past or present—who would it be and why?
Sharkeyes: Tacboy’s list probably looks a little different, but mine would be: Phil Collins, Lil Wayne, CHVRCHES, Nobuo Uematsu. All of these people/groups have inspired my sound.
Exposed Vocals: Can you share any details about upcoming projects or a full-length release on the horizon?
Sharkeyes: We have a lot of songs coming this year. We hope to release one song every month for the foreseeable future. We also plan an EP/album for 2025.
Exposed Vocals: What’s next for ET Boys in 2024? Any tours, visuals, or surprises in store for fans?
Sharkeyes: We hope to do our first few shows later this year. If you guys keep listening and supporting, we do in fact have a big surprise. I will go ass out for the fans and do a perineum reveal; you don’t want to miss it.
